DeAngelo Burse Keynote Speaker

Author of Yours To Design and creator of NIMBLE framework
TEDx speaker on digital behaviour and personality change
CEO of Breakroom Huddle, advising global organisations

DeAngelo Burse's Biography

DeAngelo Burse is a social psychologist, TEDx speaker, and author of Yours To Design: Constructing a Life That Is Meaningful (Jehashi Publishing, 2022). The book introduces his NIMBLE framework—a groundbreaking personality development concept that empowers readers to reshape their narratives, unlock potential, and flourish in every area of life. Drawing from behavioral science, social psychology, and narrative identity, Yours To Design shows how individuals can move beyond the constraints of heredity and environment by cultivating adaptability, reframing identity, and building habits that lead to confidence, resilience, and growth. The book has been endorsed by Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage, who calls it “a thoughtful translation of the best scientific research into practical and meaningful ways to pursue your ideal self,” and Mark Leary, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, who wrote, “DeAngelo Burse shows how to design the life we want by aligning life with our goals, values, and identity.”

As a PhD candidate in psychology at the University of Birmingham in England, his research explores the Science of Becoming—why some people realize their potential while others don’t—through meta-self-regulation, Aristotelian virtue ethics, character development, and human flourishing. He earned a Master of Science in Psychology, specializing in social psychology, and is certified in Choice Theory® and Reality Therapy, and mentored in Cognitive Behavior Therapy by Norman Cotterell, Ph.D., Senior Clinician at Beck Institute and direct student of CBT founder Aaron T. Beck. DeAngelo teaches social psychology and abnormal psychology as a university professor.

His TEDx talk, “How The Digital World Is Changing Human Personality,” examines how smartphones and social media influence the Big Five personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism)—exploring how digital habits shape our thinking, behaviors, and life direction.

He is CEO of Breakroom Huddle, where he delivers evidence-based keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching for Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and government agencies. His corporate clients include LabCorp, United Therapeutics, Atrium Health, CaroMont Health, Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health, Ashley Furniture, The Room, Victaulic, and CAPCO. His work has been featured in Rich Man Magazine (UK), a global publication for executives and business leaders, and on ABC, CBS, and NBC-affiliated channels.

DeAngelo’s speaking addresses: meaning and purpose, personal narratives, social and emotional intelligence, positive psychology, cognitive biases, identity and self-esteem, motivation and determination, transformative mindset, mental health and psychological well-being, technology and personality, and character and personal growth.

DeAngelo is the creator of 90-Second Psychologist, a video series that transforms complex psychological concepts into immediately applicable insights, and hosts the Social Curiosity Podcast—a journey into human behavior, relationships, and personal growth. He speaks globally on the Science of Becoming, exploring character development, personal transformation, and human flourishing.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, DeAngelo enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, outdoor activities, grilling, and watching NFL football.

What You Accept Defines You: Building the Character That Drives Behavior

Ideal for: Corporate teams, healthcare organizations, leadership cohorts, and high-performance professionals navigating culture change.

Most people don't struggle with knowing what's right — they struggle with holding themselves to it. This keynote makes accountability an inside job: when people clarify their values and define what they will tolerate, behavior aligns not because someone is watching, but because character has been built.

Key Takeaways:

A clear framework: Values → Standards → Identity → Behavior
Tools to identify and close value-behavior gaps
Strategies to model accountability as a cultural norm

Reshaping the Narrative: Designing a Life Worth Living

Ideal for: Professional development events, resilience training, student audiences, and emerging leaders.

The stories we tell ourselves become the lives we live. Using the psychology of identity formation and cognitive narrative theory, DeAngelo helps audiences identify the internal scripts that quietly limit their potential — and replace them with narratives that are honest, growth-oriented, and empowering.

Key Takeaways:

How identity narratives form — and how to reshape them intentionally
Cognitive tools to challenge and reframe self-limiting beliefs (i.e., narrative audit)
A resilience practice rooted in psychological science and agency

Becoming a Transformative Agent: The Science of Becoming™

Ideal for: Leaders, educators, managers, coaches, and mission-driven professionals seeking deeper influence.

Influence isn't a title — it's a practice. Drawing from psychological science and his own journey, DeAngelo guides audiences through the psychology of agency, intentional change, and catalytic leadership. Participants leave ready to stop waiting for transformation and start becoming the person who makes it happen.

Key Takeaways:

Strategies to expand your sphere of intentional impact
A renewed identity as an architect of change, not a bystander

Climb with Purpose: A Journey Toward What Really Matters

Ideal for: Organizations navigating burnout or disengagement; HR and culture leaders, managers, and teams seeking sustainable well-being and motivation frameworks.

DeAngelo explores the transformative power of living with purpose, showing how small, intentional actions can create lasting impact. He helps audiences recognize their existing influence and inspires them to live with optimism and intention. Through his C.L.I.M.B. Method for Living and Leading with Purpose, participants embark on a practical, science-grounded journey toward what truly matters.

Key Takeaways:

A practical framework (C.L.I.M.B.) for living and leading with intentional purpose
Tools to recognize and expand your existing sphere of influence and impact
A renewed sense of optimism and direction grounded in psychological science

He operates at the intersection of social psychology and personal development, helping individuals and organisations understand how identity and behaviour shape performance.
He translates complex psychological research into practical frameworks that enable people to build confidence, resilience and purposeful growth.
He brings a distinctive perspective through his NIMBLE framework, empowering audiences to redesign their narratives and unlock potential.
He is an engaging speaker who combines academic insight with real-world application to make personal transformation actionable.
His insights equip organisations to develop stronger mindsets, enhance wellbeing and drive sustained individual and team performance.

Videos of DeAngelo Burse

How the Digital World is Changing Human Personality | DeAngelo Burse | TEDxSouthlake

Meaning-Why-Purpose

Who Do You Want To Be?

How Is Your Character?

Smart phones and Social Media's Influence on Personality

Becoming A Transformative Agent - Nature and Nurture

Break Your Ropes

Man's Search For Meaning (Victor Frankl)

Character Matters - Adolf Hitler - Mother Teresa

Articles, Media & Podcasts

'Yours to Design'- How Psychology Professor DeAngelo Burse Rewrote His Story–And How You Can Too

Rich Man Magazine

DeAngelo Burse | Social Curiosity Podcast

DeAngelo Burse - Purpose Begins with Identity

Stories From The River Podcast

DeAngelo Burse - Mike Burke - Social Psychology

Real Talk Podcast

Books by DeAngelo Burse

Yours To Design: Constructing a Life That is Meaningful

Comments & Testimonials

Our partnership with DeAngelo Burse was truly transformative for over 400 professionals. He created a powerful and safe space for meaningful reflection, growth, and renewed purpose. Through his engaging and energetic approach, participants were inspired and given tools to create actionable strategies to reshape their narratives and deepen their sense of purpose. DeAngelo’s dynamic presence, combined with his humor and practical insights, made a lasting impact.

Dana McCrary, Director, Office of Recovery Transformation Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

DeAngelo delivered a highly effective and engaging workshop on self-accountability for my team. His presentation was clear, interactive, and thoughtfully tailored to our audience, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply. Most notably, he provided practical tools that empowered our team to translate the lessons learned into meaningful action, both professionally and personally. The session left us motivated and equipped to establish higher standards and hold ourselves accountable to the individuals we strive to become. I would strongly recommend DeAngelo to any organization seeking impactful, results-driven professional development.

Charles E Morgan Jr., Director Business Operation Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center

We were incredibly fortunate to have DeAngelo Burse as our final keynote of the day at our annual conference and retreat. He absolutely nailed what our audience needed to hear, delivering a thought-provoking message about the social science of people. DeAngelo brings with him both a positive energy and an emotionally sensitive insight that truly connected with our attendees. From discussions about interacting with others in a value-building way to a challenge about building one's legacy the right way, Mr. Burse was potent and affecting.

Joe Webb DealerKnows

DeAngelo was a keynote speaker for our “Elevate Your Purpose” series and spoke to our Memory Makers on the practical power of Narrative Identity. He provides practical help for breaking through the false identities that we may cling to from our past to adopt a vision of a future version of ourselves. DeAngelo can help you become an architect of “You” and design a life that’s meaningful.

Charlie Malouf Broad River Retail

DeAngelo spoke at our annual symposium and totally knocked it out of the park! His speech was engaging and inspiring, delivering thoughts that were meaningful and impactful. He is gifted with the art of encouragement. His talk was overwhelmingly positive and thought-provoking. DeAngelo included personal stories that brought you into his words and left you with a feeling of wanting to know more. What a wonderful experience for our team! We hope to have the privilege of inviting DeAngelo to future events!

Darleine Bolch CaroMont Health